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Court chiefs unveil new measure to help local journalists

Sayra TekinCourt bosses have revealed a new measure designed to improve access to hearings for local journalists.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has announced the creation of a new online resource that will make court listings fully searchable.

The tool will feature predictive search boxes to help reporters find information more quickly, while journalists can also become verified users and subscribe to receive specific hearing lists by email.

Courts and tribunals will be moved to the new service in phases and it will be available in some areas as early as spring this year.

In a statement, HMCTS said: “Justice must be seen to be done, and local and national journalists are key to this.

“They need to see what’s happening in courts and tribunals so that they can decide when to attend and report on proceedings. They need the lists in good time, before hearings take place.

“These needs inform the practical design of the new service. We’re including predictive search boxes to help members of the public find the information quickly.

“Legal professionals and the media can become verified users and subscribe to receive specific hearing lists by email, removing the need to contact courts or tribunals to be added to multiple distribution lists.”

The News Media Association, the trade body for the regional and national press, has welcomed the move.

NMA legal director Sayra Tekin, pictured, said: “The NMA has campaigned for many years to make court lists more accessible through digital platforms in addition to improving access to hard copy lists for journalists at court.

“As HMCTS says, local and national journalists continue to play a critical part in upholding the principle of open justice and this important new initiative is necessary to strengthen their ability to do this on behalf of the public in a modern age.”